Hidden gems in MHSAA semifinal basketball games

Zenobia Bracey, Newton

We know about the stars - Callaway's Malik Newman, Provine's D'Angelo West and Scott Central's Victoria Vivians, among others - but here are a few players you might have heard little about who could have big impacts at the Mississippi Coliseum:

Boys

Deandre Bolton

Hinds AHS | Center

Bulldog center is perfect complement to Sterling Joiner and Trevarius Draper, averaging 10.5 points and 9.7 rebounds. The 6-foot-4, 200-pound big man, at least by Hinds AHS' standards, is capable of bumping his scoring totals into the mid-teens. That could prove pivotal in the 1A semis against Coldwater, which eliminated the Bulldogs a year ago.

Jon Paul Davis

East Side | Forward

Davis is long enough (6-5) to give opposing teams nightmares on the wing. He averages 17.1 points and 9.7 rebounds for the Trojans, who are seeking their first title, and played some of his better basketball down the stretch. He had 27 points against Kemper County in the North 3A finals.

Girls

Annesia Durham

Raymond | Guard

The 5-5 guard is capable of putting up big numbers. The senior is a consistent scorer who can carry her team and score in bunches or complement teammate Kyeonia Harris, another fleet-footed guard, by scoring in the mid-to-upper teens.

Zenobia Bracey

Newton | Guard

Senior averaged 16.2 points during the last six games to help the Lady Tigers reach the Coliseum, including in Saturday's 80-76 victory over reigning 2A champ Scott Central. Bracey is a big reason why Newton, looking for its first title since 2010, is considered a serious threat to dethrone the Lady Rebels.

- Chris Thomas, preps editor

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Hidden gems in MHSAA semifinal basketball games

We know about the stars - Callaway's Malik Newman, Provine's D'Angelo West and Scott Central's Victoria Vivians, among others - but here are a few players you might have heard little about who could